Going offshore tomorrow for the first time. any advice?

[Ross]

A depth sounder may give only depth under the boat but a fish finder with give bottom profiles and slopes. it can show a lumpy bottom or a gradually rising bottom. it is quite unusual for the depth to change abruptly except at the edges of a dredged channel.
When I get into water less than 4.5 feet I start bumping but with a fish finder I can "see" those lumps on the screen when I am in 8 feet of water. I have a transom mounted transducer.

 

[RTB]

Updates? How was it? Anyone get seasick?

 

[JVB]

Flew over yesterday

Updates? How was it? Anyone get seasick?

As it happens I flew my little two seat airplane over the beach from Beaufort to just North of Charleston yesterday afternoon. The thing I noticed most was the abundance of breaking water, indicating shallow areas, up to a half mile offshore all along that stretch. I guess it was low tide because the black breakwaters at the Charleston harbor entrance were not covered. I have been contemplating bringing my Catalina 250 from Lake Murray to try coastal sailing. It looks to me like a chartplotter and depth finder plus a careful eye on the weather would be mandatory to stay out of trouble.

Jim Butler
Aiken, SC

 

[waternwaves]

really dont need to reef in 20 with that boat.......just roll in the jib to 80 to 90%. I have an 85 H40 rigged as a cutter, that handles those conditions really nicely, even single handed. (a down haul helps) a little over 8 kts depending on how tight I hold her. absolutely wonderful upwind.

hope you had fun

 

[Absolutely]

Well it looks like most has been covered. Keep warm. Don't get thirsty or hungry.
Stay dry. And....most important of all...share the load, take a break so you won't get anxious or really tired. That is when problems seem to compound. Keep a lookout after dark. When the sun shines.....relax and enjoy the moment.
Gene Long

 

[Stephen K]

How was it?

 

[Joe]

Geeze guys, I'm worried. Brobins has been gone since Monday and he hasn't checked back in with us. It's been like 48 hrs. Brobins....... report please or we call the Coast Guard!

 

[jibes138]

Where is BRobins?

I remember reading about Bernard Moitessier. He sailed around the world in a race and when it was time to go home after rounding the horn he just decided to keep sailing so he headed around again. Maybe BRobins liked it so much he just kept going?

 

[Hermit Scott]

Geeze guys, I'm worried. Brobins has been gone since Monday and he hasn't checked back in with us. It's been like 48 hrs. Brobins....... report please or we call the Coast Guard!

Don't worry! He's got 120 gallons of water...what else does he need?

 

[Steve Kamp]

Is this the same brobins75 who was diddling a few weeks back about moving the boat to NC near Kinston for a job? Maybe he went out side at Charleston with the intent of coming back in at Beaufort, but had to run for weather in Georgetown or Wilmington/Wrightsville Beach. BROBINS75, where are you?
Steve

 

[RTB]

I remember reading about Bernard Moitessier. He sailed around the world in a race and when it was time to go home after rounding the horn he just decided to keep sailing so he headed around again. Maybe BRobins liked it so much he just kept going?

249 posts....does he do this often?

 

[ndunlay]

MY thought: Rent a movie (Perfect Storm) and stay home:[

havent really been too far offshore in this boat yet. we havent made it out of the jetties yet. The boat has been solid and good to us thus far. i rebuilt her from the keel up over 3 years, and I wouldnt say she is new, but we havent had any problems thusfar. I have pfc's, flares, safety equipment, rib w/ outboard, etc. I dont have much instrumentation yet. I only have a vhf, and an older waas gps with no chart chip.

The depth in the area i plan on sailing is good. I probably wont get out of the site of land. i just wanna get some good wind. Do you think im ok to go? I have several people going with me. One is an ex sailing instructor for Clemson University, and another is a French offshore racer from back in the day. They are both comfortable with my gear. They recommend I get sonar asap, but I dont have it at the moment. I know the harbor area pretty well and have done fine w/o sonar so far. I know i need it, but from the harbor to offshore, i think im fine. Oh, i have seatow too.

My starting battery is fully charged, my house bank has been reduced from 2x 8D batteries, to only one functional. I do carry a 1500 watt portable generator and can charge batteries if i need too.

oh, i just filled my 120 gallon water tank, is this ok? is it better full or empty? does it matter?

the boat is a 1986 Hunter 40. new sails. 150 genoa. no storm sails. furler. new rigging, new sheets, halyards, lines.

any thoughts?[/quote]

 

[Ron20324]

. BROBINS75, where are you?
Steve

A few days ago I tried to Google "B Robbins" in the Charleston area, but without a first name I couldn't pin down anyone in particular.